Connect in Compassion

Teachers are donating class fees to charity and collecting goods for food banks, as well as devising ways to help flood-afflicted yoga studios eventually rebuild their businesses. If you or your studio have been affected by the disaster or are planning your own effort to help Katrina survivors, tell us about it, and well post it on our site to help you coordinate with like-minded yogis.

compassion in action

“I am doing a free yoga class at an art gallery in Houston to raise money for those affected by Katrina. I am the only certified jivamukti teacher in the city and will be teaching an inspiring, compassionate, strengthing class in this style. We will have a live dj and will be asking for donations to benefit local groups who are assisting this disaster, rather than just giving money to the Red Cross. If you would like more information, please let me know.”

Blessings,

sarah jahnelle

liberation@swatijr.com

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“houston, tx’s only jivamukti teacher will be holding a benefit yoga class with live dj to raise money for those effected by katrina. if you are interested in doing a small piece about this in upcoming editions, please contact sarah jahnelle at liberation@swatijr.com.”

Join together to send intentions of Healing and Strength across the Gulf of Mexico during a Yoga and Sunset Meditation on Saturday, October 8th, 2005 at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Front

Class begins at 5:30 pm and ends at Sunset approximately 7:05 pm.

Japanese scientist MASARU EMOTO, author of Hidden
Messages In Water, has proven through revolutionary
research that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings.

Come with thoughts and feelings of peace and healing and together we can make a difference.

Suggested Donation: $20 per person. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity Katrina Relief. We can help rebuild. It starts with intention. Take the intention further and offer your practice to elevate the energy of the GULF COAST during
FULL THREE DAY Yoga Workshop October 6th-8th MARCO ISLAND MARRIOTT RESORT AND SPA.

Space is limited for three day workshop.
Sign up available for individual days.
Hotel Rooms available at discounted group rate.
Call 866 769 6881 for information on workshop schedule and how to register.”

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“After watching the disturbing images stroll by my TV screen my sister and I sat helpless and crying. What can we do?, we said as we sat in our comfortable kitchen eating. My sister and yoga partner sprang into action. She called a local yoga studio and asked to hold a charity yoga class to raise money for habitat for humanity to help those in need of putting their lives back together. We are proud to announce that we will be holding this yoga class at Yogani, on Platt St. in Tampa Fl on Sat.18th at 5:00pm all donations are greatly appreciated. Everyone counts.”

om shanti,

Kathy Ran

kmran@verizon.net

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“Three studios in North Lake Tahoe have come together to help raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Yoga Space, The Tahoe Yoga and Wellness Center and Bikram Yoga Tahoe will be offering Karma Yoga classes throughout the month on October. Each studio will be offering 6 classes throughout the month for donation only. Each studio will have their specific Karma Yoga classes on their website in the next couple of weeks.

The Yoga Space – www.YogaSpaceTahoe.com

The Tahoe Yoga and Wellness Center — www.tahoeyoga.com

Bikram Yoga Tahoe — www.bikramyogatahoe.com

Thank you for bringing us all together, and letting us know what others are doing to help.”

Namaste

Julie Ness

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“From Monday, September 19 to Sunday, September 25 the following yoga studios and teachers in Madison, Wisconsin will be donating proceeds from the classes listed below to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 100% of all proceeds will go to benefit the American Red Cross and Americas Second Harvest. Drop-in rates vary from $10-$15 per class. Please check with individual studios or call 273-FLOW for more information. We are happy to have almost the entire yoga community in Madison working together!”

Sunday, September 25: Potluck Fundraiser at
The Perfect Knot from12:00-2:00 pm
Please bring cash or check donations, canned food, diapers, formula or school supplies.
Sponsored by Aubree Saia of the Jewel in the Lotus and Lisa OConnor

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“Sunday, September 18th the Sunflower Revolution, a movement to spread the practice of Karma Yoga, is planning Yoga in the Parks in the Boulder, Colorado area. We will be holding free Yoga classes in parks throughout the city and asking for $10 donations for Second Harvest and Habitat for Humanity to help those affected by the hurricane to rebuild their lives. We are looking for Yoga teachers to volunteer to teach classes from 10am – 12pm. Please contact us if you would like to teach a class, or would like to expand this effort into your own community.”

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“I am a yoga teacher in the San Diego, CA area. On September 22nd, 2005 I’ll be teaching an outdoor yoga class and all the proceeds will go to either the American Red Cross or the Humane Society Disaster Relief Fund (for animals and pets displaced by Katrina). I am suggesting a donation of $10 – $15/student, which is the typical cost for a yoga class, but of course people my donate whatever they want! All are welcome to attend. For more information, email Rebecca Fellows at: rrfellows@yahoo.com.”

Namaste

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“On Saturday October 8th, Open Doors will be holding a yoga-a-thon at their Weymouth, Mass. studio location to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The requested donation is $25 with all monies going to relief efforts. The event will run from 1:00 until 4:30. The second floor studio will be a continuous 3 1/4 hour power class with teachers rotating every 15-20 minutes and ending with a 15 minute savasana. Students are welcome to join in at any time during the event and stay for as little or as long as they would like. Very informal, and lots of fun! Get to experience all the different styles and energies of our large staff of teachers.

The 3rd floor studio will offer children’s yoga at 1:00 until 1:30 and again from 1:30 until 2:00. The remainder of the event for the 3rd floor studio will be hatha yoga/yin yoga/guided meditation/restorative yoga.

The schedules for each floor will be posted by September 20th and can be found on the web site at www.opendoors7.com or you can call the studio at (781) 335-3090. You may contact Susan Frazier or Richard Lanza for additional information on participating, donating money or supplies, or any other questions. Owner Richard Lanza is also organizing relief efforts though the Open Doors store locations in Braintree and Brighton including Reiki and readings. The store number is (781) 843-8224.”

Thank you for your support, we CAN make a difference.

Namaste,

Susan

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“New Orleans is my birthplace, my mother and scores of cousins live there and were recently displaced by Katrina. My mother is a tough cookie, she and her husband remained for the storm, and were lucky, very lucky, to make it out of town a couple days later. We finally heard from her brother 3 days ago. Everyone made it out. Some lost everything.

Myself and some faculty at Equinox gym Santa Monica are throwing an SOS fundraiser next Sunday to benefit the Red Cross. I will be teaching my Sunday 7:45 am advanced class as usual at Yoga Passage, Core Integration at Swerve will be subbed.

SOS: Share Ongoing Support. Please join us in raising funds for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina on Sunday, September 18th at Equinox Fitness 201 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica – All funds will be donated to the Red Cross. Suggested donation is $20. Classes are sponsored by Equinox and Lululemon Athletica

Classes are provided for members of Equinox. The benefit is open to everyone. Non-members must contact Desiree Bartlett, to be placed on the guest list. Please contact Desiree at dbartlett@equinoxfitness.com 310-593-8888

This is just the beginning of the healing process. Ongoing efforts will need to be sustained. The magnitude of this event warrants many open hearts, many special events, and generosity of spirit. We hope that this event will be the first of many given by the LA Yoga and Fitness Communities.

Jill Miller

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Friends of mine in New York City are organizing housing in the NYC area for Katrina victims. A site is in the works at www.NYCHurricaneHousing.com. Funds go to help house victims in the New York area, and donations can be sent to:

Praxis-NYC Hurricane Housing

ATT: Jessie & Mark Roberts

379 Baltic Street, # 4L

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Namaste,

Erin Brenner

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“I am a yoga teacher in the small town of Gig Harbor, WA, just south of Seattle. On September 17th my yoga class will hold it’s first ever Yogathon for Kindness. All proceeds will go to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The event will be held on the waterfront park and will be a continous two hour Sun Salutation session. We hope this small community will see the spirit of yoga. We are all united in this great cause.

The Yogathon began as a benifit to raise awarness for the ONE Campaign in it’s effort to end global AIDS and extreme hunger. Our path has changed due to receint events. We will continue to speak about the ONE Campaign. It’s really cool. I think this will be an amazing day for many!
Thanks so much for always inspiring me.”

Pamella Inveen

Core Yoga Fusion

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“Rumi Yoga in Pasadena, California will be donating all of the proceeds from its classes to the victims of Katrina for the next three months begining, September 30, Rumi’s Birthday. Please spread the words of giving. Any studios participating in this effort to raise as much money as possible will recieve free teacher training for Rumi Yoga so that they may offer this powerful form of yoga to the rest of their students. For more information please go to www.rumiyoga.com.

Kim

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“Elysian Studios Yoga began a food drive in August because our local food banks were stretched to breaking, esp. with kids heading back to school and the additional expenses families encounter with that.

Class fees or food donation equivilants were given toward the drive and students recieved free classes. Also, we offer healing touch therapy so fees or food donation equivilants equaled a free one hour session. We are continuing this policy now in an effort to help victums of Katrina…

May God bless us all with strength and divine love so we may step forward in our compassion toward healing and bring the brilliance of Spirit into our tomorrows.”

Love,

GMcK

gmck@tds.net

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“Operation Karma is an effort to bring together Bay Area yoga teachers to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. By dedicating classes for relief efforts, Bay Area yoga studios re working to bring the yoga of service to the victims of the United States’ worst natural disaster.

On Sunday, September 11, Bay Area residents will have the opportunity to come together in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Treasure Island a benefit yoga class will be held every hour, with all proceeds going directly where needed through the Bay Area Chapter of the Red Cross.

Come join us and celebrate the gift of giving with Jazz sensationalists such as the Junius Courtney Big Band featuring vocalist Denise Perrier, Lady Memphis, Creole food and beverage, entertainment with a Southern slant and the opportunity to purchase art donated by Bay Area artists – all donating their talents to send hope and help to those caught in the aftermath of Katrina.

Tickets at $10 per person can be purchased online and at various locations to be determined. Benefit yoga classes will be $10. Visit operationkarma.blogspot.com for more information, or contact Jeanine Hays at jhays71278@sbcglobal.net.”

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“I lead a group of yoga practitioners who meet about once a month to practice outside. We are meeting on Saturday, Sept. 10th to practice on Laguna Beach and will be collecting money to donate to The Red Cross. E-mail me at outdooryoga@earthlink.net if you’d like to join us.”

Lisa Griffiths

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“I’ve recently been hoping to move from where I am just for a change in my life, and now I am wondering if perhaps I shouldn’t relocate to help rebuild. If anyone thinks they might plan to rebuild a studio or anything else, please let me know! My only concern is that I am from KY and am not sure what to do with my belongings and where to stay, etc.”

klyman3@gmail.com

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“Hi my name is Tami Osiecki and I live in a small beach town on the east coast of Florida (Indialantic). Last year around this time we were dealing with what we thought was a terrible hurricane season. Standing in line for bags of ice and water, I quickly had a new appreciation for organizations like the American Red Cross.

Throughout the month of September, 100% of the proceeds of my relaxation cd ‘Breathing Into The Moment’ will be donated to The American Red Cross. For more info, email yoga@cfl.rr.com.”

Love and Peace,

Tami

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“I was so emotionally affectd by the tragedy of Katrina that I kept thinking what could my business do to help the victims of Katrina. I decided to sell Candles of Hope Soy candles. The scent of the candle is magnolia, which is the state flower of Louisiana and Mississippi. 100% of the profit goes to the charities Red Cross and Noah’s Wish. Also 10% of the profits from other items purchased up until Sept 16 will also be donated to these charities.”

In an effort to bring our community together and lend a helping hand to those who will be rebuilding their lives after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we will be offering a ‘donation class.’ Join us for an hour-long yoga class, followed by a yummy vegetarian chili lunch.

Suggested Donation is $20 for the class and vegetarian lunch. Please RSVP by phone or email (kelley@savannahyoga.com) if you plan to attend so we can prepare enough chili and ensure we can accommodate the necessary class room space! Please show up at least 20 minutes early. The doors will close at 12:20pm.”

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“Our studio has added new/additional classes on our new 6 week class sessions schedule starting September 26th. We are going to offer these classes for donation only. We are sending all donations towards the Katrina efforts.”

“What does September 11th represent for you? Whatever feelings of loss or helplessness you may experience, we welcome you to nurture and cultivate your inner compassion (Karuna) and help bring relief to those suffering as a result of the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Please join us for a special commemorative class: 2 hours of meditation and Vinyasa Flow (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) – All levels welcome. Yoga in the Pearl will donate to the Red Cross $5 per student attending this special class, and Blossoming Lotus will donate ALL proceeds from 9/11 as well. A donation box will be available at the studio should you wish to make an additional contribution.

As individuals we know the healing power of yoga for our bodies, minds and spirits. Let us, as members of this warm and generous yoga community, extend the healing beyond our mats and into the world around us, by sharing the gifts we have with those in need.”

“I teach classes in Durham, N.C., including a Wednesday afternoon class at 5:30, at the Woodcroft Professional Center. During the month of September, my Wednesday class fees will be donated to the American Red Cross. The class is at 5:30, and a donation of at least $10.00 is appreciated. Class is limited to 15 due to limited space. I am a certified yoga teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance and teach a Vinyasa Flow class appropriate for beginner-intermediate level students.

Email me or call at (919) 599-4409 if interested.”

Namaste,

Anne Constable

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“I am the President of The Yoga Association of Houston (www.yoga-houston.org). In response to the overwhelming needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I have contacted many of the major suppliers of yoga props with a suggestion to create means to help yoga teachers and studios rebuild their businesses and their practices once they return to their homes in Louisiana and Mississippi…

I suggested that suppliers make props available at cost to people in the affected areas. I also suggested that teachers, studios and associations in other parts of the country could adopt a studio, teacher or association in the affected area. Funds could be raised for a particular recipient to buy props or whatever was needed.”

Namaste,Suzy Shapiro

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“YOGAFIT INC has made a donation to the American Red Cross for the hurricane relief fund.
In the spirit of helping our fellow man, cat, dog and other living beings,
YOGAFIT encourages you to do what you can to help out; be it teaching a
class and donating the proceeds to a humanitarian organization, putting a
box in your studio to collect non-perishables for the local food shelf, or
making a cash donation.

The week of Sept 12 will be YOGA FOR HURRICANE
VICTIMS WEEK – We encourage you all to teach classes and donate the proceeds
to the American Red Cross during this week.”

“I live in Israel, and I wish to donate some of my yoga class fees and of other teachers. Who can I send the money to?”

barmymon@hotmail.co.il

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“Unfortunately, at this time, I am unable to leave my hometown to assist directly with disaster relief. Although I have difficulty maintaining a regular meditation practice, I find myself thinking about the families involved — those who were directly affected, and those who have volunteering memmbers — and my thoughts and prayers go out to you all!

We all may not be able to directly assist; but sometimes knowing that others are thinking of you (or praying for you, depending on religious beliefs) can help you to know that you are not alone in your present journey. My best to all involved — at home or on the front-lines — and thank you for caring.”

Julie

“Yoga Junction in Fairfield, CA will be donating all class proceeds in October from a new Community Flow Yoga class offered Sundays at 4:30pm, taught by Yoga Junction teacher training interns. For more information, call (707) 428-YOGI (9644) or visit www.yogajunction.net.”

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“In Canada, we are not too close to reach out our hearts and hands to the people of the Katrina tragedy. But in some way I think the energy we can send them and the hope in our prayers will assist them in rising and surviving.

Maybe the lesson we can all learn and practice in our Yoga, is to keep that compassion all year round, and help out people who need us. This might be the family friend or relative who is alone, or maybe the neighbour next door.

Compassion will reach out as far as we want it to go. So I ask everyone – what are you doing to help in your own life?”

lcaldwell@mts.net

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“I live in Longview, Texas. It is 60 miles west of Shreveport, LA. My teacher, Melanie Fawer owns a Mysore Ashtanga yoga studio in New Orleans. After the flood, the images, the awareness of the victims taking refuge in my town and state I felt the need to do something. My husband told me that my orignal plan of driving to New Orleans and sweeping up a momma and her babies would not work, since they would not let me in and I would likely not have gasoline to return. So, hopeless I then decided to call upon my students and friends. We held a compassion class in our teacher’s honor on Labor Day weekend. It followed with a beautiful guided meditation on compassion by Jack Kornfeld. Students were moved to tears and gave donations from their heart. I visited the shelter and gave the money to the Red Cross. I had never guided a meditation prior to this one and it was an overwhelming experience. Allowing the pain and suffering of all those individuals to pass through my heart was something I had never experienced. The compassion that was generated was equally amazing. The money was tangible and would allow for material needs, but I am quite convinced the compassion sent out from our little community offered a spiritual healing. We will continue to focus on compassion and healing for our new neighbors, friends, the relief workers and Melanie.”

Emily Harris Smith

OmShanti4U@earthlink.net

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“I just wanted to bring to your attention a very good charity, Sewa USA (www.sewausa.org).”

Gautam Desai

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“From my small sudio: All of the fall 2005 class fees to the Red Cross. Many of my students’ employees are matching gifts to the Red Cross. See our site: http://www.lotuslogicyoga.com

Our small town turned out the welcome mat. It was beautiful to see the caring and sharing. We were able to help 5 families get into new housing. Sharing blessings is wonderful.”

lotuslogic@earthlink.net

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“Namaste Yoga Studio in Tampa, Florida had a donations box for hurricane Katrina setup at the front of the studio from Sept 1 thru 9. We collected money from students. The studio doubled their money. The Pilates director doubled the money again, and then we gave to an organization that tripled that total amount.

In the end, the studio raised nearly $6,000 and gave that money to the American Red Cross for hurricane Katrina victims.

We are proud of our efforts and are happy to send the money to those who are in immediate need.”

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“I’m a yoga instructor (RYT) seeking retreat centers, lodges, etc, where we can have 3-day retreats for Katrina relief workers, to help them de-stress & rejuvenate. I live in Alaska, but am heading south October 12, and will meet up with another teacher-friend. We seek massage therapists and other teachers who’d like to donate their time & enjoy the retreats, as well. We’ve been finding out about grant monies available for such programs, so some payment in future may be available.”

writerannak@yahoo.com

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“No big story, but our community is doing some things to help out in Pensacola, Florida. Our Pranic Healing community is making a group donation to relief agencies and holding healing meditations for the stricken areas apart from the individual contributions made by each member. We are offering aid individually on an as needed basis,taking families to buy clothing,food and household goods and providing housing where possible. Our yoga studio is doing the same thing, and is having a special class ending with a restorative miniclass whose proceeds will go for aid, as well as a silent auction whose proceeds will go to aid.”

Namaste,

Laura
lauratlemsani@netzero.com

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“My name is Becky Watkins and I am a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher in Alexandria, La. I want to thank everyone around the country who has generously donated their time, talents and funds to help south La. residents. I am offering yoga class to those in the shelters free of charge and my October classes will be focused on relieving stress. I work for a large hospital and we have accepted many new patients from the N.O. area. Our staff is on overload, and classes for them will be $20 for six weeks. I might be able to offer it free of charge for this six weeks.

Most every home has evacuees and we have two families staying with us. We are fortunate in that one gentleman cooks and it is fun to come home after work and eat a delicious meal. New Orleans people are survivors and they love their city. It will be rebuilt better than before. We thought we were “helping” them, but instead, they enriched our lives and we have new friends.

My extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins in Biloxi area were hard hit. Even though they live five miles inland from the coast, they still had 4-5 feet of water. Everything is lost including priceless pictures kept in storage boxes under the bed. The walls have so much mold; the house is being stripped of everything except the frame and brick. My aunt and uncle just remodeled their kitchen and of course, it is gone. There is no electricity in the area and all the furniture is in the front yard. Still, they feel fortunate to be alive. It is just overwhelming. I have been doing “breathing exercises” with them over the phone.”

Sincerely,

Becky Watkins
EAP Coordinator

318-448-6938

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“My new refugee status has not only enabled me to view the world through a different lense, but it has also afforded me the opportunity to see kindness and generousity in many communities.

Right now, I am working at a school in the Baton Rouge area that has taken in many (over 90) New Orleans students. As a counselor it is not only my responsibility to care for the children while they are at school, but it is also my duty to care for our families in our new community. If there are any yoga teachers in the Baton Rouge area who would be interested in donating some time to help both the faculty and the parents of this community I would be grateful!”

Stephanie Eberts

stepheberts@yahoo.com

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“Having just opened Avani yoga, a new studio in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, we are offering a workshop about Finding a Center in the Midst of Chaos with Gabriel Halpern of Yoga Circle, Chicago and live music with world renown Kirtan Singer, Dave Stringer. This will take place Sunday, November 13th from 2-5pm. Proceeds will be donated to the Katrina victims. Yoga builds the emotional strength to handle not only the rigor of an ever-deepening personal practice, but to balance hat with skillful and compassionate response to the vast array of crises that continue to challenge our moment in history.”

rnixon@maroness.com

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“All proceeeds from my guided meditation CD: “To Light a Candle: Meditations for Difficult Times”, for the rest of 2005 go directly to the American Red Cross for Katrina Relief. The CD can be ordered at www.CDBABY.com and CD Baby will send the money to the Red Cross. If you have a CD and want to sell it on CD Baby and do the same thing, go to www.CDBaby.net and follow the directions for selling a CD and donating to charity.”

Blessings,

Sarah Bates

www.downwarddogproductions.net

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“I was compelled to do something to help after watching the horrific events in the Gulf Coast unfold on TV. The purpose of these classes is to make an offering to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 100% of the proceeds will go to the charitable organization that you choose from the list provided. The intention is to come together to open our hearts, our wallets and possibly even our hips! For complete details please visit our website: www.yoga4hkrelief.com.”

Namaste,

Katherine Schaefer

Anusara Yoga affiliate-Michigan

katerine@yoga4hkrelief.com

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“As a certified Hatha Yoga teacher in Toronto, Canada, I’m sending thanks to my fellow Canadians who have donated to our neighbours south of the border in this time of crisis. Being far away from the disaster I still wanted to offer help. So I invited friends to my condo rooftop for yoga and a bbq, with each person contributing $20. Proceeds have gone to the Canadian Red Cross who are directing the funds to assist the victoms of hurricane Katrina. Every contribution, no matter how small, still makes a difference!”

Karin Comstock

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“On Saturday, Jasmine Yoga held a Yoga and a Smoothie Class benefit. All participants were encouraged to make a donation of their choice to Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, or Veteran’s for Peace. Hats with signs and information for each non-profit organization were laid out on a table, and all smoothie proceeds also went to Veterans for Peace. Here is our email announcemnent which went out, if anyone would like to set up a similar event, I am happy to share the soft copy of the flyer and the text of the email.”

Best,

Nicole

nicole@nicolenestel.com

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“Here in England our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in this disaster.”

Jean George
Yoga Teacher and Complementary Therapies Practitioner

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“We are planning a Spiritual Yoga fund raiser in my small town of Farmingdale NJ. My local Catholic Church, St. Catherine of Siena has offer their Parish Center hall free of charge and I have 3 yoga teachers lined up, including myself, that are donating their time to teach a yoga class on Friday Sept. 30th. We are not only sending any collected funds to help the Katrina Victims, through the Salvation Army, but we are planning on sending some great Karma to all the survivors to raise the vibration of hope and peace to all those devestated by this tragic event.”

Peace,

Terry Kelly
tkelly@meridianhealth.com

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“My name is Lillian Lindsay and I am a Kripalu Yoga teacher teaching in Williamsport, PA. Besides making montery contributions to various relief efforts I have decided to combine the intentions of my students in the mediation componet of my class. I am working with creative visulation of the Mississippi river as a way to help heal the Mississippi River Delta.”

oaklily@aol.com

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“1. Gave $50 to Noah’s wish, www.noahswish.org, animal rescue organization working in the Gulf Area.

2. Gave a contribution to a church I know in Shreveport, Louisiana that is sheltering some evacuees.